Chapter 173

Woo Jang-rak’s experience in Jianghu was as vast as the years he had lived.

Naturally, his insight was exceptional, and his knowledge was far from scant. But he swore he had never once heard of a sect named the Divine Blade Manor.

It was impossible for him not to know of a sect with a name as grandiose as Divine Blade Manor.

A flicker of suspicion crossed Woo Jang-rak’s eyes.

Proper sects did not carelessly attach such grand names to themselves. It was always those who sought to muddle the world or overestimate themselves who came up with such bewitching names.

It was the perfect way to deceive those who didn’t know any better, tricking them with the grand title of Divine Blade Manor.

Woo Jang-rak observed Im Tae-mun closely.

The true nature of the Divine Blade Manor was unknown, but Im Tae-mun’s level didn’t seem bad.

His build was imposing, and the Qi emanating from his body wasn’t bad. But that was all.

He seemed far too lacking to meet Woo Jang-rak’s high standards. Still, Woo Jang-rak did not let it show.

“This Woo is short on knowledge and does not know much about the Divine Blade Manor. If you could tell me its location, I will be sure to visit.”

“Haha! Our Divine Blade Manor professes to be a Gate of Mystery, so it is not strange that you do not know of us, Great Hero Woo.”

“A Gate of Mystery? Does that mean you have deliberately kept yourselves hidden until now?”

“You know as well as I do, Great Hero Woo, that many sects suffered great losses during the Great Demonic War. Our Divine Blade Manor was also on the front lines then and suffered immense damage. Since then, we have refrained from activity, focusing on strengthening our internal unity and training our disciples.”

“Hmm!”

“Although we professed to be a Gate of Mystery and did not engage in external activities due to unavoidable circumstances, our internal strength has now been restored to a certain degree, so we intend to resume our activities.”

“Is that so?”

Woo Jang-rak tilted his head.

There were many suspicious points, but Im Tae-mun spoke with such composure that he wondered if he was mistaken.

“What is the esteemed name of the Divine Blade Manor’s Lord? I must know his name so that I do not make a mistake when I meet him in the future.”

“His surname is Im, and his given name is written with the characters for ‘gu’ and ‘san’.”

“So he is Great Hero Im Gu-san. By any chance?”

“Haha! That is correct. He is my father.”

“I see.”

“My father will also be pleased to meet you, Great Hero Woo.”

“I too shall look forward to meeting him.”

“It is a bit difficult right now, but if you stop by here before you return to Chengdu, Great Hero Woo, I will arrange a meeting with my father. I assure you, you will not regret it.”

“I understand.”

A smile spread across Im Tae-mun’s face at Woo Jang-rak’s reply.

It was the expression of someone who had heard the answer they wanted.

“By the way, did you say you were a friend of Young Master Hwa?”

“That is correct.”

“I am curious as to how you became friends. As the successor to a Gate of Mystery, I wouldn’t think you would have been active in Jianghu.”

“We met at an inn. We happened to share a table, and I found that Brother Hwa and I got along very well. We have been friends ever since.”

“I see!”

It was a common enough occurrence.

In fact, a considerable number of martial artists had met by chance at an inn and continued their relationship, and Woo Jang-rak himself had such friends.

The person who stepped forward after Im Tae-mun was a beautiful woman. She appeared to be in her late teens, and her remarkably bewitching looks were impressive.

“I am Geum Ju-hwa of the Haneum Sect. It is an honor to meet you like this, Great Hero Woo.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Geum.”

Woo Jang-rak wore a look of surprise.

The Haneum Sect was not a renowned sect widely known in Jianghu, but it was a historic sect with a hundred years of history.

It was not a sect of unknown substance like the Divine Blade Manor, but one classified as a respectable sect in its own right.

Naturally, Woo Jang-rak’s reaction to her had to be different.

“Is Sect Leader Gong well?”

“You know my Master?”

“I have not met him in person, but I have always admired the reputation of the Haneum Sect Leader, Great Hero Gong Seung-hak. Fate has not allowed us to meet until now, but meeting his disciple like this is truly a pleasure.”

A smile graced Geum Ju-hwa’s lips.

Hearing a man as renowned as Woo Jang-rak praise her master naturally put her in a good mood.

“It is an honor for me as well to meet you, Great Hero Woo. I ask for your continued guidance in the future.”

“Guidance? I am just a man who has retired and now lives a quiet life.”

“Even so, the experience in Jianghu you have accumulated over the years does not simply disappear, does it? I ask for your continued guidance in the future.”

“Hah! The young miss has a way with words. In any case, it is a true pleasure to meet you.”

Woo Jang-rak looked at Geum Ju-hwa with a pleased expression.

In contrast, Im Tae-mun’s expression twisted slightly.

He could feel the difference in temperature in how Woo Jang-rak treated him versus Geum Ju-hwa.

‘This old man is discriminating against people.’

He was displeased, but he painstakingly hid his anger.

Instead, his gaze turned to Pyo Wol and Soma, who were behind Woo Jang-rak.

“And who are those two?”

“They are accompanying us to Dengzhou.”

“Would you mind introducing them?”

“What?”

Woo Jang-rak looked flustered.

He had met many people while traveling with Pyo Wol until now, but no one had ever shown any interest in Pyo Wol.

Pyo Wol covered his handsome face with a scarf, avoiding people’s attention. The only ones who paid him any mind were Woo Jang-rak’s party.

‘There’s something about him.’

A peculiar light glinted in Im Tae-mun’s eyes.

He hadn’t spoken because he had any particular business with Pyo Wol. He had just jabbed at him out of displeasure, but Woo Jang-rak’s bewildered reaction only piqued his interest further.

“That is…”

“If it’s a burden for you, Great Hero Woo, I shall introduce myself directly.”

Without even asking for Woo Jang-rak’s permission, he strode toward Pyo Wol.

Im Tae-mun unhesitatingly performed a fist-palm salute to Pyo Wol and greeted him.

“My name is Im Tae-mun. Since we are fated to be at this banquet together, let us at least exchange names.”

Pyo Wol raised his head and looked at Im Tae-mun, who had suddenly intruded.

Im Tae-mun was giving him his characteristic smile.

Pyo Wol’s gaze should have been burdensome, yet Im Tae-mun did not avoid it and stared right back.

When Pyo Wol remained silent for a long while, a furrow formed between Im Tae-mun’s brows.

“Why no answer? Are you unwilling to even greet me?”

Im Tae-mun’s tone turned sharp.

“Hey! Young Hero Im.”

Woo Jang-rak tried to hastily stop him.

He knew Pyo Wol’s personality.

Just then, Pyo Wol opened his mouth.

“Pyo Wol!”

“Pardon?”

“That’s my name.”

“Ho! So you’re not a mute. I thought your tongue had been cut out since you were keeping your mouth shut so tightly. In any case, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Hero Pyo! Where are you headed?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, just curious.”

Im Tae-mun replied with an indifferent expression.

Not a shred of courtesy could be found in his attitude.

“Young Hero Im! That’s…”

Geum Ju-hwa, who was beside him, was instead flustered and tried to stop him.

She too was arrogant, but as a disciple of a renowned sect, she maintained at least a minimum of courtesy.

They were together because of their connection to Hwa Ok-gi, but she never imagined Im Tae-mun would be so rude.

Just then, Pyo Wol opened his mouth.

“You’re needlessly curious.”

“I’m the type who can’t stand it when I’m curious about something. So, are you not going to answer?”

“Because there’s no reason to answer.”

At Pyo Wol’s indifferent reply, anger flared on Im Tae-mun’s face.

He was on the verge of erupting.

“The Manor Lord is entering.”

Mae Bul-gun’s voice echoed through the great hall.

“We greet the Manor Lord.”

The martial artists of the Heavenly Eunuch Clan rose and greeted him in one voice.

“Haha! Everyone, please be seated.”

Hwa Yu-cheon raised his hand, bidding the martial artists to sit.

At his appearance, Im Tae-mun could say no more and just gnawed on his lip before returning to his seat.

Only then did Woo Jang-rak let out a sigh of relief.

‘One unexpected loach nearly caused a string of funerals.’

It felt as if a good ten years had been shaved off his life.

In that brief moment, his face seemed to have aged considerably.

Woo Jang-rak glared at Im Tae-mun’s back.

‘If that’s the kind of character their sect produces, then there’s no need to look any further.’

He should have known from the moment they brandished the grand name of Divine Blade Manor.

It was surely a sect with a plausible name but no substance.

Im Tae-mun, displeased at not getting an answer from Pyo Wol, continued to glare at him even after sitting down.

Watching him made Woo Jang-rak sigh.

‘He won’t live to a ripe old age acting like that.’

Woo Jang-rak shook his head and looked at Hwa Yu-cheon, who was seated in the grand chair.

Hwa Yu-cheon opened his mouth.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all who have attended this banquet. We haven’t prepared much, but I hope you will all enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content. Hahaha!”

Hwa Yu-cheon seemed unassuming for the master of a great power like the Heavenly Eunuch Clan. But no one present believed that to be his true nature.

He was a man of ability who had grown the Heavenly Eunuch Clan to this scale in just a few decades. It was a feat impossible with ordinary skill.

Mae Bul-gun waited for Hwa Yu-cheon to finish speaking before introducing Im Tae-mun and Geum Ju-hwa.

“It truly pleases me to meet such renowned talents of Jianghu. So, you are Ok-gi’s friends?”

“Yes! We get along quite well, so we have become close.”

“Hoho! Please continue to be close with him. That child was raised preciously and has many shortcomings.”

“You are too kind.”

“I would like to meet your father someday. Seeing you, I feel that I would get along well with your father too.”

“My father has also always said that he wishes to form a bond of sworn brotherhood with you, Great Hero Hwa.”

“Oh! Is that really so?”

“How could I tell a lie?”

A smile appeared on Hwa Yu-cheon’s face at Im Tae-mun’s words.

Frankly, he had no idea where this sect called the Divine Blade Manor was located, but there was no reason to be displeased when told someone wished to form a bond of sworn brotherhood with him.

“I too wish to meet your father soon.”

“My father will be pleased as well.”

“Please convey my regards to him.”

“Of course.”

A smile touched the corners of Im Tae-mun’s lips.

If he could be the reason his father and Hwa Yu-cheon formed a connection, it would be a great achievement.

“But I do not see Ok-gi.”

“I sent him on an errand. He will be back soon, so please wait a little longer.”

“I understand.”

Im Tae-mun gave a slight bow to Hwa Yu-cheon and sat back down.

Hwa Yu-cheon also greeted Geum Ju-hwa warmly.

The power of her Haneum Sect was by no means inferior to the Heavenly Eunuch Clan. Therefore, he conversed with Geum Ju-hwa more affably than he had with Im Tae-mun.

After finishing his conversation with Hwa Ok-gi’s friends, he approached Woo Jang-rak.

“Great Hero Woo!”

“Manor Lord Hwa!”

Hwa Yu-cheon and Woo Jang-rak exchanged fist-palm salutes.

“Is there any inconvenience during your stay at our manor?”

“Thanks to the Manor Lord’s consideration, I am resting comfortably.”

“There can be no inconvenience when hosting Great Hero Woo of the Taewon Trading Company.”

“It has been a long time since I retired from the Taewon Trading Company. Now, I am merely the steward of a small manor.”

“Is that small manor not the place where Great Hero Yu Gicheon, the former Unit Leader of the Taewon Trading Company, is in seclusion?”

The Taewon Trading Company, which Yu Gicheon had built and nurtured, had expanded even further in his son’s generation. It had grown incomparably larger than when Yu Gicheon was active.

Because of this, many sects in All Under Heaven wanted to form ties with the Taewon Trading Company. Receiving the support of the Taewon Trading Company would secure a stable source of funds.

The Heavenly Eunuch Clan’s finances were not so dire as to need to ask the Taewon Trading Company for help. In fact, they were quite affluent. But the more funds one had, the better. For that reason, Hwa Yu-cheon intended to first form a connection with Woo Jang-rak and later get an introduction to Yu Gicheon.

Woo Jang-rak also noticed Hwa Yu-cheon’s intentions. But he did not blame Hwa Yu-cheon for his ambition.

That was how fierce Jianghu was by nature.

The Taewon Trading Company had grown in the same way in its early days.

Yu Gicheon and Woo Jang-rak had fought fiercely and struggled desperately to form even the smallest of connections.

Just then, Hwa Yu-cheon lowered his voice.

“By the way, there is something I would like to ask.”

“Yes?”

“I heard that many things have happened in Chengdu recently.”

“Ah! Are you referring to the Emei Sect and Qingcheng Sect becoming closed-off?”

“That is correct. Would it be possible to know the detailed circumstances? Most people have only heard that the two sects became closed-off, but they do not know the process behind it.”

Due to the uniquely closed-off geography of Sichuan Province, it was difficult to obtain detailed information from the outside. That was why he was trying to get information directly from Woo Jang-rak, who was based in Chengdu.

Woo Jang-rak was momentarily flustered by the unexpected question. But, as befitting a man hardened by long years in trade, he quickly composed his expression and continued speaking calmly.

“We do not know the detailed circumstances either. As you know, the matter happened so suddenly that we were unable to grasp the situation.”

“But surely you know at least a rough outline?”

“That is difficult for me to say right now.”

“Pardon?”

“I apologize, Great Hero Hwa!”

Hwa Yu-cheon was taken aback by Woo Jang-rak’s response.

He had naturally expected Woo Jang-rak to tell him something, but he hadn’t anticipated him to evade the question like this.

Woo Jang-rak couldn’t hide his flustered expression.

It wasn’t because of Hwa Yu-cheon, but because of Pyo Wol, who was traveling with him.

Pyo Wol did not particularly want his identity to be known. To explain in detail the process of the two sects becoming closed-off, he would naturally have to talk about Pyo Wol.

To talk about the person in question while he was watching?

That was an act that would hasten not only his own death but also that of his master, Yu Gicheon.

Woo Jang-rak did not want to die yet.

At Woo Jang-rak’s unexpected reaction, Hwa Yu-cheon’s expression twisted slightly.

For a moment, a chilly atmosphere formed between the two men.

Fortunately, as they were both seasoned individuals, they quickly regained their composure, but the awkward atmosphere was unavoidable.

Pyo Wol watched the two of them in silence.

Although he was far away, he heard their conversation without missing a word.

He knew that Woo Jang-rak was in a difficult position, but he had no intention of intervening.

One of the things he had learned while traveling together was that Woo Jang-rak was a very capable and wise man.

They would be leaving this place after staying for just one more day, so he would handle it well on his own.

It was then.

Suddenly, a martial artist from the Heavenly Eunuch Clan rushed into the great hall. He whispered in his ear, and Steward Mae Bul-gun’s complexion changed drastically.

Mae Bul-gun rushed to Hwa Yu-cheon.

“There is big trouble, Manor Lord!”

“What is it?”

“M-Miss Mok has escaped.”

“Mok Ga-hye?”

“Yes! She didn’t come out even when it was time for the banquet, so they went in, and her quarters were empty.”

“What? Then what about the Gongpo Sword?”

“It is nowhere to be seen. It seems she took it with her when she fled.”

“Capture that bitch at once!”

Hwa Yu-cheon’s anger exploded.